The autumnal transition is here, the nights are drawing in, temperatures are getting cooler and the temptation to sit fireside and savour an aromatic glass of wine is at the optimum. The changing of the seasons usually sees a trend to move to a more full-bodied tipple with fruity reds such as Merlot and Pinot Noir first in line for the tasting.
Smooth and versatile, the cool autumn evenings will see many uncorking a popular Merlot, one of the world’s most popular wines and known for its soft plummy fruit character. Lafite Legende Pauillac is famed for their legendary first growths that fetch many hundreds of pounds, Barons de Rothschild also create a range of more accessible wines, of these ‘second wines’, Legende Pauillac is considered the finest. Taste the expressive spiced plum flavours, with hints of black pepper and round tannins in the masterful Montes Reserva Merlot and you’ll understand why Aurelio Montes is one of Chile’s most celebrated winemakers.
Closely following the Merlot another top autumn transition is the Pinot Noir, a red wine grape that is grown in cooler climates producing wines brimming with juicy red cherry, strawberry and red fruit. Offering a good balance of fruit and acidity, these wines are known for their versatility, smooth and earthy flavours and typically light-bodied.
Bichot Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune is a popular French red, that hails from grapes grown in the higher altitude Hautes Côtes de Beaune. Helping the slower-ripening Pinot Noir retain freshness and vivacity with a silky soft palate. The result is a fresh medium-bodied Burgundy that delivers initial crisp aromas of fresh redcurrants before the palate softens to ripe redcurrant jammy flavours and subtle hints of roasted cocoa and coffee beans.
Greywacke is a wine that is deep ruby red in colour with vibrant aromas of blackberries, blueberries and sweet black plums. An opulent style of Marlborough Pinot layered with notes of roasted chestnuts, clove and tobacco and hints of rose and lavender.
Reds can be the obvious go to, however, don’t be too quick to side-line the whites or rosés. As a fuller-bodied white, a Chardonnay is seen to many as a top autumn transition. A little bit smoky and rich, Tom Carson (Yabby Lake Wines) is the winemaker behind Distant Noises Chardonnay. Soft and rounded, with hints of stone fruit, tangerine and pithy citrus, lemon tarts, both the pastry and filling, and a little spice and hint of oak.
Buena Vista Carneros Chardonnay is a Classic Californian Chardonnay, bright, woody and chewy. Fruit comes from four vineyard sites in Carneros and is fermented in barrel, matured for nine months in French and Hungarian oak barrels, and is bottled unfiltered.
The trend for pink continues to elevate the rosé market, with rosé consumption growing substantially in the typical ‘rosé months’ of April to August. However, there is still a lot of growth and consumption of rosé happening post summer and a sharper, drier rosé will be a perfect pink for the Autumn season.
Folc English Rosé is a vibrant, upbeat English still rosé and Independent English Wine Awards 2021 (Gold) winner. Made by blending seven grape varieties sourced from family-run vineyards in Kent and East Sussex. Plenty of summer berries, ripe peach and elderflower on the nose, crisp acidity refreshes a palate of raspberry and lime zest, with ripe strawberry jam coming through on the finish. Whispering Angel Cotes de Provence Rosé is probably the most iconic rosé of them all from the illustrious Château d’Esclans. This tantalising Côtes de Provence pink is elegant and fresh and offers creamy peach, raspberry and grapefruit flavours.
However, you decide to embrace autumn, a host of reds, whites and rosés offer an array of aromatic tastings to fall in love with and savour this autumn.
